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About this project

OK, this is it. Years in the making. Sort of. There has been a lot of chatter bandied around about the revolution of podcasting, how it's changing things, how it works and there should be a documentary about it. Fine. But that's not the point. Anyone can just record something that is happening and call it a documentary. That's not what we want to do. We want to get at the heart of it.

Podcasting breaks down the barriers. There are no filters. No studio notes. No editing unless the podcaster wants to. Artist go directly to the fans, and the fans get to know the podcasters. Often learning intimate details of their lives. And this forms a bond and a connection that other media simply does not come close to.

We will be interviewing such podcasting luminaries such as Doug Benson, Marc Maron, Aisha Tyler, Jimmy Pardo, and the creative minds behind Welcome to Night Vale, Jeffrey Cranor and Joseph Fink. And many, many more. We'll also we talking to the fans as well.

As podcasters ourselves, we've gotten to know the fans, often personally, and they have gotten to know us. People have told us we have helped get them through rough times, even though on the surface we are just talking about movies. So there is a connection there that we are humbled by.

And we wouldn't have it any other way. Because at it's digital heart, podcasting is about human connections.

Risks and challenges

One of the reasons we started Comedy Film Nerds was because we were comedians and filmmakers who not only talked about film, but also made them. Making a film is always a challenge. Often the things your think will be a problem go smoothly and the things you think will go smoothly... don't. You never know where a problem is going to appear when making a film, but the truth is, Graham and Chris have been through it. They've made movies. Graham has even made one in Afghanistan. Chris has shot on 35mm B&W film with children, stunts, and special effects. We don't plan on doing any of those things on this one. We're hoping our biggest challenge will be how to sober up the camera crew. But when the unexpected happens, we will be prepared. And we'll solve it. With a minimum of bloodshed.

But what happens after it is done? Will it languish and linger and never see the light of day as it gets tied up in horrible distribution deals? No. We have our own distribution system (physical and digital) at comedyfilmnerds.com So one way or another, people will get it. But you Kickstarter peeps will get it first.

No, we have no plans for a yacht at this time. Maybe as a stretch goal. But seriously, some indie films are made for very little and some aren't. We want to do this documentary the correct way. And that involves hiring a professional crew, including a professional editor, sound designer, etc. They are coming in at reduced rates for us as a favor, but if you want pros, you have to pay for them. And you need to the right equipment. it's nice to think of the filmmaker on the run doing everything himself for free, but that simply would not work for the documentary story we want to tell.

Also, this documentary will be heavy on travel. A lot of comedians and podcasters are in Los Angeles and New York, but that's not where YOU, THE FAN, are. We want to come and talk to YOU. (Not ALL of you, obviously) And that means travel expenses.

Making a professional movie does cost some money. We reduced the budget as much as we could to meet our goal and still make an amazing documentary. And truth be told, we want to do this the right way, for us and for you.

Yes, we know and see them frequently as well, often in person. But we also know this is only half the story. We know why the podcaster cares, and we want to tell that half of the story, but we really want to explore why YOU, the fan care as well. We will look at the connection that is formed between podcaster and fans. It's a connection that is intensely personal and completely unexpected. No other medium creates this bond. And that is the heart of podcasting, and the story that needs to be told.

Rewards

Pledge $5 or more

Updates and gratitude. We won't pretend we don't see you when we are at a film festival together.

Estimated delivery:Dec 2014

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Pledge $25 or more

777 backers

Download of the film. This is it. The full film digitally in your virtual hands. No fuss, no muss. Enjoy.

Estimated delivery:Dec 2014

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Pledge $40 or more

40 backers
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Get the movie download plus actual Ear Buds! This is a special limited tier with the help of our friends at Tweakedaudio.com With the purchase of this tier you will also receive a pair of their "Parcour Too Red" Ear Buds. (MSRP $29.95)

Estimated delivery:Dec 2014

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Pledge $50 or more

330 backers

Signed DVD. You want this film in your actual hands. We get it. And we'll sign it for you. There may even be a few extras on the DVD. Just saying. And you'll also get a download of the film.

Estimated delivery:Dec 2014

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Pledge $75 or more

40 backers
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Get everything in the $50 tier plus actual Ear Buds! This is a special limited tier with the help of our friends at Tweakedaudio.com With the purchase of this tier you will also receive a pair of "Parcour Too Red" Ear Buds. (MSRP $29.95)

Estimated delivery:Dec 2014

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Pledge $75 or more

50 backers
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Whistling Bane Tier! Get a signed DVD with bonus features, a download of the movie, PLUS Graham Elwood's Whistling Bane T-shirt! Kickstarter's Reckoning!

Estimated delivery:Dec 2014

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Pledge $100 or more

79 backers

Signed DVD and poster. Give a little more, get a little more. That's the whole thing, isn't it? Get a cool poster which will also be signed by Graham, Chris, and at least one other podcaster in the film. You'll also get a download of the film.

Estimated delivery:Dec 2014

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Pledge $150 or more

10 backers
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Special Movie and Sideshow Network Tier! Get everything in the $100 Tier: A Signed DVD, poster and download of the film. You'll also get a GRAB BAG of SWAG from the comedians and podcasters on sideshownetwork.tv worth $100!

Estimated delivery:Dec 2014

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Pledge $250 or more

45 backers

Signed DVD, poster, T-shirt and name in the credits as "backer." This tier is for someone who wants a little of everything. You'll get a signed DVD and poster, a shirt, and a credit in the film. You'll even get the film as a download. Cool!

Estimated delivery:Dec 2014

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Pledge $350 or more

6 backers
Limited (4 left of 10)

Comedy Film Nerds Ad Read! Get a live ad read on an upcoming episode of the Comedy Film Nerds podcast along with a digital copy of the movie. Promote your business, product, or even your own podcast. We will also put your name in the credits as "backer". Promote! Do it!

Estimated delivery:Dec 2014

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Pledge $500 or more

10 backers

VIP Backer. Name in credits and all previous non-limited rewards. NOW, we're getting fancy. Why are you a VIP? Because we say so.

Estimated delivery:Dec 2014

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Pledge $750 or more

1 backer
Limited (4 left of 5)

Comedy Film Nerds Live Ad Read EXTREME! Everything in the $500 reward package plus get a live ad read on an upcoming episode of the Comedy Film Nerds podcast. Promote your business, product, or even your own podcast. Promote! Do it! Extreme!

Estimated delivery:Dec 2014

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Pledge $1,000 or more

8 backers

Associate producer credit plus all previous non-limited rewards. Now you're an associate producer on a feature film. And you now have about as much experience as most associate producers. Well done.

Estimated delivery:Dec 2014

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Pledge $1,200 or more

0 backers
Limited (5 left of 5)

Are you a podcaster? Be interviewed for the doc! You must be in the Los Angeles Area OR in an area we will be shooting in. (To Be Determined) No other rewards are included in this tier.

Estimated delivery:Dec 2014

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Pledge $1,500 or more

0 backers
Limited (5 left of 5)

Private screening of film at your house with Graham and Chris. Plus all previous non-limited rewards. (Southern California only) Please only buy this tier if you're not a weirdo. That would make it uncomfortable.

Estimated delivery:Dec 2014

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Pledge $1,500 or more

0 backers
Limited (20 left of 20)

Bonus Associate Producer and Website build! Our friends at Squarespace have generously donated ONE FREE YEAR of their service. Get everything in the $1000 Associate Producer Tier PLUS your own website for one year courtesy of Squarespace.

Estimated delivery:Dec 2014

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Pledge $1,500 or more

2 backers
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Special Doug Benson and Comedy Film Nerds Summer Movie Preview Tier! Be an Associate Producer and get everything on the $1000 tier, and also be on the very special Summer Movie Preview Podcast with Comedy Film Nerds and special guest Doug Benson. (Los Angeles Area only)

Estimated delivery:May 2014

Only ships to: United States

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Pledge $2,500 or more

2 backers

Co-producer credit plus all previous non-limited rewards. Now we're talking. You're a full co-producer on the film which means you can date a much younger actress and yell on the phone.

Estimated delivery:Dec 2014

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Pledge $3,000 or more

0 backers
Limited (20 left of 20)

Co-Producer tier plus website build! Our friends at Squarespace have generously donated TWO FREE YEARS of their service for this tier. Get Everything in the $2500 Co-Producer tier PLUS TWO FREE YEARS of Squarespace services for your own website.

Estimated delivery:Dec 2014

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Pledge $5,000 or more

2 backers

Producer credit and invite to film production party with Graham, Chris, other podcasters and crew. Plus all previous non-limited rewards. Party with comedians and podcaster! You'll fit right in, believe us. We'd love to have you, and we won't put our hands up in front of our faces when you click the camera on your phone.

Estimated delivery:Dec 2014

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Pledge $10,000

3 backers

Executive Producer credit and passes to the 2014 LA Podcast festival, plus all previous non-limited rewards. This is it. The whole enchilada. You'll get all the merchandise, the party, and the LAPODFEST passes. But that's not all. We'll also give you 2 Domestic Round Trip Airfares to Los Angeles AND a three night stay at the Sofitel Hotel during LAPODFEST in September. We're not even limiting this reward because we want everyone who wants it to have it, and it doesn't involve us going into your creepy home.

Estimated delivery:Dec 2014

Ships anywhere in the world

Funding period

Jan 15, 2014 - Feb 24, 2014
(40 days)

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